England Saxons name side to face O2 Ireland Wolfhounds

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE RFU FOUR players make their debuts for England Saxons against the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds at Galway on Friday night (7.35pm).

Elliot Daly (London Wasps) and Joel Tomkins (Saracens) are in the back line of a young Saxons outfit while Saracens pair George Kruis and Will Fraser start in the back row at The Sportsground.

Four more replacements are also set to make their first appearances at this level with former England Under 20 trio Rob Buchanan (Harlequins), Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby) and George Lowe (Harlequins) joined by ex-Rugby League international Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby).

Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers) will captain the side after helping steer his club into the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup last weekend.

Crane is one of six full internationals in the team along with Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors), Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton Saints), Joe Simpson (London Wasps), Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins) and Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens).

Head Coach Jon Callard said: "This is a dynamic young side with an average age of less than 24 and the players have a chance to show that they can play a major part of the future of England Rugby over the coming years. The blend of forward power and pace in the back line makes it an exciting one to be involved with.

"We're facing an experienced Irish side in this opening game and the challenge is to step up and deliver a high quality performance in front of a passionate crowd in Galway."

After facing the Wolfhounds away from home the Saxons return to England to take on Scotland A at Newcastle on Friday, February 1 (8pm).